The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-11-12
The UBIQUITOUS Hebrew.


It has been frequently remarked
that the Jewish race has wonderful
power of adaptation to all climates.
Jews are found In all parts of the
globe, and seem to possess remark.
able facility for acclimatization, even
under the most unfavorable circum.
stances. Mesopotamia is considered
the mother country of the Abra-
hamic family, as well as the cradle
Of the human race. Some years ago
small colony of Jews were found
In the ancient city of Seminar, in the
South Of Mesopotsmia, and in the
vicinity of ancient Babylon. or the
seventy families composing the col.
ony one claimed to be descended from
King Joachim, the rest from the
house of Levi. A colony of Jews ap-
pear to have settled in China about
the beginning of the Third century
of the Christian era. under the dy-
nasty of Han. In 1704 Father GCu-
zani. Roman Catholic missionary,
found seven families near Pekin.
In 1886 Portuguese Jew of Am
sterdam. named De Pavia. discovered
q sect of Jews in Cochin China. Ac.
cording to a tradition preserved
among them, they were descended
from tribe of Jews who had quilted
Palestine on the destruction of the
second temple. From their long res
idence in Cochin they had become
completely bronzed. These are not
the same as the Malabar Jews. The
Jewish traveller Benjamin. sometimes
called Benjamin the Second, discov-
cred colony of Jews. evidently of
Persian origin, in Hindostan. They
were known as "Babylonian Jews"
on account of their having migrated
from Babylonia. They observed the
essential rites of Judaism, and strictly
avoided intermarrisge with other
sects. In the beginning of the Sew
enteenth century Jewish colony
settled in Cayenne, in the West In
dies. one of the most inhospitable
climates in South America.
Cayenne was subsequently con-
quered by the French. who made it
a penial settlement, and the Jewish
colony was forced to retire to Surf
nam. Notwithstanding frequent per-
secutions, Jews are still foun in Per.
sla. more especially on the Caspian
sea, where the soil is very fertile, but
the climate very unhealthy. The prin-
cfpai city If Balprosh, where about
$50 Jewish families reside in almost
complete isolation. They trade with
their brethren in Great Tartary, and
are engaged in the wool and silk
trade or in the sale of citrons. They
too, trace their origin from the Bah
ylonian captivity, for, according to a
tradition still possessed among them,
their ancestors settled in Persia in
the time of acknowledgements, and did
not respond to the appeal of Ezra to
return to Palestine. Their mode of
fife resembles that of the Persians in
general. They hold the beard in high
esteem. and wear long flowing robes.
They have several synagogues, and
obtain scrolls of the law from Bagdad.
The celebrated African traveller,
Mungo Park, found colony of Jew
ish families in the heart of Africa,
about 300 miles from the coast. 1t is
no doubt this popularity of the Jew.
ish race which induced a French
writer on medical Geography" to
express the opinion that "it is ques.
tionable whether the crossing of hu.
man varieties confers on the issue con-
slant advantages in relation to the
species for the Jewish race seems in
q wonderful manner capable of adapt
ing itself to every change of climate,
while others are scarcely able to bear
the least change" The Jew is found
In every part of the world; In En-
rope. from Norway to Gibraltar; in
Africa, from Algeirs to the Cape of
Good Hope; in Asia, from Cochin to
the Caucasus from Jaffa to Pekin.
He has peopled Australia, and has
given proofs of his powers of acclima-
tization under the tropics, where peo-
pie of European origin have con.
stantly failed to perpetuate them
selves.-Jewish World.
----------------------